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‘A really near miss’

Video Garry Collins, head of prevention and protection at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service Archant Do not try to be a hero – that was the message from emergency services after two people rushed to the aid of a woman who was rescued from the River Wensum in Norwich. The warning comes during Drowning Prevention and Water Safety week, where organisations look to educate people on staying safe around water. And Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said an incident on Tuesday evening, when two people went to the aid of a woman in the water at the Lady Julian Bridge, highlighted the need for awareness and not putting yourself in danger. It happened at around 6.40pm, close to the Riverside Entertainment complex, when a woman went into the water. Grainne Buckley, who lives nearby, said an adult and a child went in with a life ring to try and help before firefighters pulled the trio to safety. Garry Collins, the head of fire prevention and protection at NFRS, said: “This has been a really near miss. This is a typical example, one person has gone into the water – that’s significant enough for their own life. But another person goes in to help and it’s just increasing the risk of someone drowning. “It can mean one fatality potentially becomes two or three. Of course one is tragic but we don’t want multiple drowning incidents.” Christon Iliffe. Picture: MARK BULLIMORE Mr Collins said the fire service was equipped and trained… [Read full story]